By Ryan Lavoie

Each week, I will look at a movie that is currently in theaters or available to stream and give some reasons why people should watch it. This isn’t necessarily a film critique, rather, an overview of what I think is enjoyable about the film, and why it’s worth seeing. This week, we’ll look at one of the new movies in theaters right now, Barbarian.

We’re in a time of the year where there aren’t too many buzzworthy movies being released to theaters. This is the time where theaters are hoping for diamond in the rough movies to carry the day and while the overall box office is slumping horribly, there is a nice surprise of a movie hiding in the depths. Barbarian is a film set just outside of Detroit where a woman believes she has booked an Airbnb only to find out that someone else had also booked the Airbnb at the same time. If that were the only problem however, we would’ve had a bland movie wouldn’t we? As it turns out, there is an entire passage way of tunnels below the house, and that’s where the fun (horror) begins. Some would say this movie starts a little slow for their taste but I think it is appropriate for the setting and the build up to what ultimately becomes a pretty terrifying reveal.

The movie also does a good job with splitting the different types of horror. You get the epic
reveal which is certifiably terrifying, then the movie turns more into a bit of a disturbing, sort of gross slog, then finishing as a frantic chase. I haven’t seen many movies like it where there can be three distinct portions of the movie feel like three different types of horror movie. That alone makes it worth the watch in my estimation.

One more thing I want to mention is in the middle of the movie, after the big reveal, the movie just seems to pause, and begins introducing a new character. I actually think this was very well done because it makes the viewer process what they just saw, while setting up what will ultimately move the action forward. I think the introduction of this character was different, but another pleasantly well done move. There’s a lot here to like in a movie that flew under the radar for most, but will leave you with a lasting impression if you give it the chance.

Barbarian is now showing in theaters.